Abstract
This study develops hybrid modeling and algorithmic frameworks for analyzing the mutual effects of multiple sources of uncertainty on the quality and the robustness of construction schedules. To cope with multiple sources of disruptions, i.e., random resource failures and severe weather conditions, this paper develops a simulation-optimization model that aims to generate delay resistant project schedules. The Variable Neighborhood Search (VNS) is hybridized with an event-driven simulation framework to generate efficient and robust solutions for computationally expensive resource-constrained project scheduling problems (RCPSP). The simulation experiments have been carried out by a flexible modeling framework that can be adopted by project experts to design construction schedules subject to the uncertainty associated with the multiple resource failure. The problem is mathematically formulated as a bi-objective optimization model aiming to minimize the project makespan and maximize a novel surrogate robustness function simultaneously. The computational results of the proposed VNS method have been compared with those obtained from the commercial optimization solvers. The simulation-optimization model’s application is demonstrated through a case study of the hydropower plant construction project with multiple renewable and non-renewable resources. Based on an extensive statistical analysis of real-life scenarios, this study contributes to a trade-off analysis of project makespan and robustness in construction projects. The t-test statistical analysis results indicate the significance of the project’s average delay reduction by implementing the robust project schedule. The outcomes confirm that the designed framework can generate a more efficient project schedule with a higher rate of protection compared with the existing robust approaches.
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Abbreviations
- A :
-
Set of immediate precedence relationships
- B t :
-
Set of activities in progress during period t
- K :
-
The set of renewable resources
- N :
-
The set of activity nodes
- NC :
-
The set of non-critical chains
- NK :
-
The set of non-renewable resources
- P i :
-
The set of the immediate predecessor of activity
- T :
-
The set of periods
- a kt :
-
Dynamic availability of resource type k for activity i at period t
- C max :
-
Latest finish time of the activity
- d i :
-
The duration of activity i which follows a known probability distribution function
- \(d_i^{min},d_i^{max}\) :
-
Minimum and maximum duration of activity i
- EF i, LF i :
-
Earliest and latest finish times of activity
- ES i, LS i :
-
Earliest and latest start times of activity i
- lag ij :
-
The time lag between activity i and j
- lag ij :
-
The requirement of resource type k for activity i at period t
- σ i :
-
Excess time for activity i due to disruptions, i.e., resource breakdowns and repair times
- x it :
-
1 if activity i starts at time t, and 0 otherwise
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Ansari, R. Dynamic Optimization for Analyzing Effects of Multiple Resource Failures on Project Schedule Robustness. KSCE J Civ Eng 25, 1515–1532 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-021-0564-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12205-021-0564-1